Interview with Lance “Mount” Whitaker

Interview with Lance “Mount” Whitaker

By Rahmon Ford, Doghouse Boxing (Aug 21, 2009)

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing current Heavyweight contender Lance Whitaker (33-5-1) 27kos. Whitaker prepares to fight Mathew Ellis Friday night, August 21, 2009, at the Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, California.

RF: Thanks for giving us the opportunity to interview you before your fight. How’s training going for you?

LW: Training has been going good. I’ve got good sparring, about 60 rounds or so. I’ve been working on my jab, my cardio. Training has been good.

RF: What do you know about Mathew Ellis?

LW: Um, he has two arms and legs! (Laughs) All I know is that I’ve worked on my jab and combos, and that I won’t look for the knockout, but if it comes, it comes.

RF: Back in 2001, you lost a close, competitive fight to Jameel McCline, who went on to fight for a championship. That was almost eight years ago. Do you feel you’ve matured as fighter since then?

LW: Yeah, I’ve definitely matured over the years. In that fight, my weight was a big factor for me. I was under weight. Now I’m more disciplined, but yeah, I’ve definitely matured since then.

RF: Back in 2005, you lost to Sultan Ibragimov, who went on to win a portion of the Heavyweight crown. You didn’t fight again for over two years. What happened? Would you like a rematch?

LW: I was just relaxing and taking some time off, that’s all. I was just resting up, but I didn’t retire. Only if there’s something to gain would I want to fight him again. Is he ranked? Does he have a belt? What does he have?

RF: Out of your five losses (2 by Ko) How many do you feel were incorrectly scored?

LW: Lou Savarese. The count was extra long, bout 22 seconds after I knocked him down. The ref, Steve Smoger helped him.

RF: What were some of your childhood boxing heroes growing up? What got you into boxing?

LW: I liked Sugar Ray, Ali, and George Foremen. I like the individual sport part of it, the one on one part of it.

RF: Describe your fighting style to those readers who may have never seen you fight.

LW: I’m a boxer/puncher. More of a puncher!

RF: Given the current state of the Heavyweight division, do you think you can fight for, and win a belt?

LW: Oh yeah, sure! All I have to do is keep fighting and winning. Then fight someone in the top ten.

RF: Why did you change your name to “Goofi”, may I ask?

LW: That was just publicity!(laughs) It was just for the publicity.

RF: Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers and your fans?

LW: Mount Whitaker is BACK!! You’ll see something different this time. You’ll see more combos, a better jab, better conditioning, and more aggressiveness. I’d like to also thank my team: Bill Marshall, my fitness trainer, Mike Wood, my strength trainer, “The Machine” Bruce, and my driver Mr. Wallace Grissette.

RF: Thank you and good luck!

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